Welcome to BuyAssociation.co.uk

Greece: Central Greece

Overview

Nearest Airports – Athens and Vólos (international), Kythira (domestic).

The land of the mythical centaur, central Greece is home to flourishing fruit orchards and dense oak and beech forests. The region is dotted with some of the prettiest villages in Greece, including Makrinítsa with its stunning churches and monasteries. Local architecture is a unique blend of whitewashed, half-timbered houses, which are often decorated with intricate frescoes. The Aegean-facing east coast has some excellent beaches and popular resorts such as Platanías and Áfissos. The area is much cooler in summer than the rest of mainland Greece, which, when added to its natural charm, makes it extremely popular in summer and more expensive than many other areas.

Communications are quite good between the main towns, most of which are served by trains and buses and have reasonable roads. Outside the main areas, however, there are narrow mountain roads and infrequent bus services, particularly outside the summer season, when private transport is a must. Kythira has a domestic airport serving a limited number of routes.

Central Greece comprises two large regions: Stereá Ellhada and Thessaly, and offer some of the country’s most varied scenery.

Stereá Ellhada, situated north-west of Athens, was the only independent Greek territory during the 19th century and encompasses a vast expanse of wild, mountainous countryside punctuated by small towns (the region was largely depopulated in the 20th century). Its most famous sights are at Delphi, Greece’s most ancient oracle with its unique amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo, and Mount Parnassós, site of two ski resorts. Seismic activity in this area is among the highest in the country.

Thessaly lies to the north of Stereá Ellhada and consists of a vast, rich agricultural plain surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, including Mount Olympus to the north. The region’s main towns include Larissa, a busy market centre, Vólos (see below), and Kalambáka, a modern town which is the base for visitors to the nearby spectacular Metéora rock monasteries. The earliest Orthodox religious communities made their homes on the black pinnacles of the naturally sculptured rock, which is one of the most spectacular sights on the Greek mainland.

Vólos, situated just west of the Pelion peninsula, is a rapidly expanding industrial area and home to Greece’s third-largest port, which has excellent hydrofoil and ferry connections to the nearby Sporades. The airport (Nea Aghialos) has some charter flights from the UK. The town has been largely rebuilt since 1957 when it was ruined by an earthquake and it now has an attractive new marina. Vólos is nationally famous for its potent tispouro, the local version of ouzo (an acquired taste!).

The Pelion peninsula, crowned by Mount Pliassidi (1,650m/5,445ft) in the north, has lush fruit orchards, picturesque mountain villages, dense forests and fine beaches, and is popular with both Greeks and foreigners. Resorts such as Aghios Ioannis, Kala Nera and Mikro are busy for much of the year, and the Pelion peninsula offers excellent bird watching and trekking possibilities, as well as ski-ing in the winter. Local buses run services throughout the area, although services are infrequent on some routes and therefore private transport is essential. Road conditions vary greatly and some roads are extremely windy. The property market has taken off in this area and prices are high. Two-bedroom apartments are available from €150,000, villas from €200,000 and typical stone mansions from €250,000. In the Pagastic Gulf, unique island bungalows can be purchased from €72,000 for one bedroom and from €117,000 for two bedrooms. The rental market is buoyant, therefore property is potentially a good investment.

In the north of Thessaly, near Larissa, is the Vale of Témbi, one of the country’s most famous and popular beauty spots, which meanders 10km (6mi) through a spectacular mountain gorge carved by the River Pinio. The coastline beyond Témbi has been heavily developed and is popular with Greek tourists. North of Larissa is Mount Olympus National Park containing the country’s highest peak, Mount Olympus (2,972m/9,751ft), legendary home of the gods. It’s snow-capped for much of the year and offers spectacular hiking in a unique terrain carpeted with wild flowers.

© Survival Books Limited 2005

“Buying a Home in Greece” 3rd Edition, Joanna Styles.

Reproduced with the permission of Survival Books Limited.

Further information on buying a home in Greece can be found in “Buying a Home in Greece” 3rd edition, by Joanna Styles.

For extensive information about buying a property in Greece, you can purchase this book at www.survivalbooks.net

More pages

Page 1: Overview

Calculate how much you can earn - rent out your holiday home here

Holiday home insurance with Staysure - the over 50's experts

Travel insurance from £2.99 - Columbus Direct for instant worldwide travel cover

Holiday home insurance from intasure - Click Here UK insurance for your property overseas